I really think pre-draft trades should take place. Even for just a few hours instead of the usual 24h. Contending teams load up at the trade deadline and can use that time to swap players rights for picks/prospects. While non-playoff/early exit teams can revamp their roster then. It's the only chance to make move, trade up/down in the draft, take advantage of teams in tough cap position before free agency. Plus, there are bound to be blockbuster trades (as shown by the years we had it or were supposed to have it) if picks can be traded right at draft along with players or on their own.
We had it before and it was nice. I don't think it's worth it to skip the whole thing and be unable to make a move from march 5th to july 1st just to have Michael Neuvirth or a Troy Brouwer make it to free agency.
Yeah but you guys complain how there is nobody in F/A, as far as picking up players for playoffs, think of it as a rental. Usually you acquire them just for the playoffs and lose them the next year. It is whatever though, we'll have it next season most likely.